Camera

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a camera which has an information setting device including an information setting member rotatable around a display device. The information setting member is provided with a window member which covers the display device and through which the indiciation displayed on the display device can be seen. The display device is supported on a frame which defines a camera body in association with a cover member surrounding the frame, while the information setting device is supported on the cover member. Accordingly, the size of both devices can be made large without necessity of enlarging the camera body in proportion to the size of the devices. Further, both devices can be assembled independently from each other. Namely, the information setting device is mounted on the cover member which is still separated from the frame. Meanwhile, the display device is mounted on the frame. Finally, the cover member with the information setting device and frame with the display device are assembled. Accordingly, the devices are easily assembled, inspected and adjusted.

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.882,363, filed 07/07/86 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,726.

BACKGROUND INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera having setting devices, suchas an exposure mode selecting device, exposure controlling device and, alight metering mode selecting device and a display device for displayingthe exposure information applied into the above devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventionally, in an outer wall member, particularly in an upperportion of the outer wall member, of the camera body are mountedinformation setting devices, such as an exposure mode selecting devicefor selecting one of a shutter-priority automatic exposure mode,aperture-priority automatic exposure mode and programmed exposure mode,devices for controlling or adjusting the shutter speed and aperture, anda display device for displaying the exposure information applied intothe above devices and the other various information such as a number offrames which has been taken and film sensitivity automatically read froma corresponding code on a film cartridge. In this case, the informationsetting devices and display devices as described above are often mountedon the same plane of the outer wall member of the camera body.

According to the prior art, as described above, a relatively large spacefor installation is required in order for both information settingdevices and display devices to be mounted on the wall member of thecamera body. Specifically, in the case that both setting devices anddisplay devices are required to be as large as possible in order forthem to be quickly and comfortably accessible to the user, a large spacefor installation, is necessary. The camera, however, is generallydesired to be made as small as possible. Accordingly, it is desired thatthe mount area to be occupied by both information setting devices anddisplay devices can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the prior art, the outer wall member isgenerally made from covers which define the camera body together with aframe surrounded thereby. In this case, a display panel of the displaydevices and also an operation knob of the information setting devicesare respectively mounted on the covers. This is because the displaypanel should face the outside and the operation knob should be exposedto the outside for manual operation. Contrary to the above, the othermembers of the display devices and the other members of the informationsetting devices are respectively mounted on the frame. With thisconstruction, the display devices and information setting devices haveto be inspected and adjusted after these devices have been incorporatedinto the covers and frame and also the covers and frame are assembledtogether. Accordingly, the operation for the inspection and adjustmentconsumes a large amount of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a camera which has aninformation setting device, which is easily operated, and a displaydevice, which is easily observed and can be made compact in size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera which hasan information setting device and display device which are,respectively, easily assembled, inspected and adjusted.

In accomplishing these and other objects, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a camera which has an information settingdevice including an information setting member rotatable around adisplay device. The information setting member is provided with a windowmember which covers the display device and through which the indicationindicated on the display device can be seen. The display device issupported on a frame which defines a camera body in association with thecover member surrounding the frame, while the information setting deviceis supported on the cover member.

With the camera as described above, when the information device is madelarge in size, its window can be made large. Accordingly, the displaydevice can be also made large in size. That i$ to say, the size of bothdevices can be made large without necessity of enlarging the camera bodyin proportion to the size of the enlarged devices. Further, both devicescan be assembled independently of each other. Namely, the informationsetting device is mounted on the cover member which is still separatedfrom the frame. Meanwhile, the display device is mounted on the frame.Finally, the cover member with the information setting device and framewith the display device are assembled. Accordingly, both devices can beeasily assembled, inspected and adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with thepreferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, front and top plan views of a cameraaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are, respectively, enlarged sections taken along linesIII-III and IV-IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a exploded perspective view of a display unit, exposure valuesetting unit and exposure mode selecting unit as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the camera shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exposure value setting unit shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, which has been assembled on an upper cover of the camera;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of an essential portion of theexposure mode selecting unit shown in FIGS. 3 to 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view showing switches included in a lightmetering mode selecting device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are, respectively, an exploded perspective view and anassembled sectional view of the light metering mode selecting device;

FIG. 12 is a control circuit for controlling the exposure contrOldevice, light metering control device, etc; and

FIGS. 13a and 13b, taken together as shown in FIG. 13, show a flow chartof the operation of a microcomputer included in the control circuit asshown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to benoted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals andsymbols throughout several views of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera according to one preferredembodiment of the present invention is shown. The camera body 1 hasupper and lower covers 2 and 3 respectively covering the upper and lowerportions thereof, a front cover 5 covering the front portion thereof andhaving a lens mount ring 4, and side covers 6 and 7 covering the lateralportions thereof, i.e. a film chamber portion and a spool chamberportion. The side cover 7 has a front grip portion 7a which protrudesforwardly and defines a battery chamber therein.

A rewind knob 9 for rewinding the film is arranged on the upper cover 2at the side of the film chamber. The rewind knob 9 also serves as aselector knob for selecting the light metering mode including, forexample, an average metering mode and a spot metering mode withhighlight and shadow based light metering modes. Such modes to beselected by the rewind knob 9 are indicated on the top surface 2e of theupper cover 2 by such symbols as "AVERAGE", "SPOT", "H" and "S". Anadjusting knob 10 is arranged on the front cover 5 for the purpose ofadjusting the exposure value (e.g. shutter speed, aperture value) andother informations.

Meanwhile, on the upper cover 2 at the side of spool chamber, anexposure mode selecting ring or knob 11 is rotatably arranged. Theexposure mode includes a programmed exposure mode "P", manual exposuremode "M", shutter-priority automatic exposure mode "S" andaperture-priority automatic exposure mode "A". The symbols of thesemodes are indicated on the upper surface of the ring 11. A liquidcrystal display unit 12 for indicating the exposure information such asshutter speed and aperture, i.e. F number, is accommodated in the uppercover 2 and below the ring 11. An adjusting ring or knob 13 is arrangedcoaxially with the exposure mode selecting ring 11 for the purpose ofadjusting the exposure value (e.g. shutter speed, aperture value) andother informations.

On the top of the upper cover 2 adjacent to the exposure mode selectingring 11 are arranged a film-advance lever 14, additive frame counter 15and main switch 16. An AE lock button 17 of an AE lock switch isarranged on the backside of the upper cover 2.

A shutter release button 18 and self-timer operation knob 19 arearranged, parallel to each other, on the top of the grip portion 7a. Inaddition, in FIGS. 1 and 2, an LCD illumination window, accessory shoe,eye piece an LED indicator for self-timer, a lens release button andstrap eyelets are respectively designated by reference numerals "20","21", "22", "23", "24" and "25".

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, the exposure mode selecting unit 57 includingthe ring 11, the exposure value adjusting unit 56 including theadjusting ring 13, and the liquid crystal display unit 12 are shown.

The display unit 12 is mounted on a frame 26 of the body 1, the framebeing surrounded by several covers 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The display unit 12has a cylindrical support member 80 which is fixed on the correspondingportion of the frame 26 by means of set screws 62 so as to cover anopening 26a formed in the frame 26. The support member 80 has an upperwall portion 80e which defines a recess 80b and a bore 80a. In therecess 80b, the end portion of a flexible printed circuit board 27,fixing plate 29 for depressing the printed circuit board 27 toward thewall portion 80e and a liquid crystal panel 33 are inserted. On the topsurface of the wall portion 80e are integrally formed a pair ofprojections 80c, which are so designed as to pass through thepositioning holes 27a of the printed circuit board 27 and thepositioning holes 29a of the fixing plate 29. The fixing plate 29 has apair of resilient arms 29b which resiliently press the inner peripheralsurface of the recess 80b with corresponding connectors 31 interposedtherebetween so that the fixing plate 29 can be held in the recess 80b.The fixing plate 29 also has a L-shaped arm 29c which forces theflexible printed circuit board 27 to extend along the outer peripheralsurface of the support member 80, as best shown in FIG. 4.

A liquid crystal panel 33 is located on the pair of connectors 31 whichelectrically connect the contacts of the liquid crystal panel 33 and thecontacts of the flexible printed circuit board 27 to each other.

A press plate 35 is positioned on the liquid crystal panel 33. The pressplate 35 has two pairs of legs 35b which extend downwardly andrespectively have positioning holes 35c into which the correspondingprojections 80d are inserted so that the press plate 35 is fixed to thesupport member 80. Accordingly, the liquid panel 33 is depressed towardthe connectors 31 to ensure the mutual electrical connection of themembers 33, 31 and 27. The press plate 35 also has a rectangular opening35a which permits the panel 33 to be seen therethrough, and a pointer12a, i.e. a printed triangle mark, indicated on a corresponding positionof the upper surface thereof. When the exposure mode selecting ring 11is turned such that the index "P", for example, arrives at the pointer12a, the programmed exposure mode can be selected. In addition, in thebore 80a is mounted a piezoelectric buzzer 37 which can generate awarning sound informing such a condition that the shutter speed is setso low as to tend to cause the blur, and counting sound informing such acondition that the self-timer is set. Such sound can be amplified in thebore 80a which can serve as a resonator.

Subsequently, the exposure value adjusting unit 56 and the exposure modeselecting unit 57 are described in detail herebelow.

The adjusting ring 13 of the exposure value adjusting unit 56 isarranged around the liquid crystal display unit 12 and supported on theupper cover 2. The exposure value adjusting unit 56 comprises theadjusting ring 13, as described above, and a cylindrical shaft 41 whichsurrounds the support member 80 of the liquid crystal display unit 12and around which the adjusting ring 13 is rotatably mounted. The uppercover 2 has a circular opening 2a including a pair of notches 2b, anarcuate slit 2c located adjacent to the opening 2a, and a pair ofprojections 2d. The adjusting ring 13 is substantially cylindrical andcomprises a sleeve portion 13a and a operation knob 13b. The sleeveportion 13a has an annular groove 13c on the inner surface thereof inwhich a return spring 45 is inserted. A pair of notches 13d and 13espaced from each other are formed in the upper edge of the sleeveportion 13a. One of side edges 13f of one notch 13d and one of sideedges 13g of the other notch 13e, which are remote from each other,engage, respectively, with the corresponding end portion 45a and 45b ofthe return spring 45. The sleeve portion 13a also has a lug 13h whichextends downwardly from the bottom of the sleeve portion 13a to beinserted into the arcuate slit 2c so that the adjusting ring 13 can beturned within the length of the slit 2c. In addition, a brush 43 isfixed on a suitable portion of the upper edge of the adjusting ring 13.

The cylindrical shaft 41 has an upper flange portion 41a and middleflange portion 41b on the outer cylindrical surface. A pair of lugs 41dextending downwardly from the bottom of the shaft 41 is inserted intothe opening 2a of the upper cover 2 and fixed thereto. The middle flangeportion 41b is engaged with the shoulder portion of the groove 13c. Theupper flange portion 41a has a diameter larger than that of the middleflange portion 41b so that the return spring 45 of a coil spring type isprevented from disengaging upwardly from the cylindrical shaft 41. Achamber A is formed by the lower surface of the upper flange portion41a, the upper surface of the middle flange portion 41b, the outercylindrical surface of the shaft 41 and the inner surface of theadjusting ring 13 to accommodate the return spring 45 therein.

Both end portions 45a and 45b of the return spring 45 accommodated inthe chamber A respectively outwardly extend through the correspondingnotches 13d and 13e to resiliently contact the corresponding edges 13fand 13g and the projections 2d and 2d.

The process of assembling the exposure value adjusting unit 56 isdescribed hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7.

The return spring 45 is first incorporated into the adjusting ring 13.Namely, for instance, one end portion 45a is first engaged with the edge13f of the notch 13d and subsequently, by handling the other end portion45b of the return spring 45, the entire return spring 45 is insertedinto the interior of the adjusting ring 13 with the return spring 45charged, and finally, the other end portion 45b of the return spring 45is engaged with, the other notch 13e. In this condition, since thereturn spring 45 is charged to some extent, the spring 45 expands in theannular groove 13c of the adjusting ring 13 so as to resiliently contactthe inner surface of the ring 13. Subsequently, the shaft 41 is insertedinto the control ring 13 with the return spring 45. In this condition,the return spring 45 is prevented from coming off the exposure valueadjusting unit 56. Finally, the lugs 41d of the shaft 41 are fitted intothe notches 2b of the upper cover 2 and fixed thereto. Accordingly, theexposure value adjusting unit 56 can be easily assembled.

The exposure mode selecting unit 57 includes a support member 47 whichis fixed on the upper plate 2 by means of the set screws 73. A sleevetype shaft 59 is fixed on the support member 47. The exposure modeselecting ring 11 is rotatably mounted around the shaft 59 and on thesupport member 47. The ring 11 is provided with a transparent plate 67,on the peripheral portion of which an annular index plate 65 is mounted.Meanwhile, a flexible printed circuit board 51 is fixed on the lowersurface of the support member 47.

The support member 47 has an opening 47a with a pair of notches 47b, andis provided with a pair of pins 48a and 48b adjacent to the opening 47awhich slidably passes through the corresponding holes formed herein.

The end portion of the flexible printed circuit board 51 is annularshaped and supported by an annular reinforcement plate 49 which issecured to the support member 47. The flexible printed circuit board 51is provided, on the lower surface thereof, with first and second fixedcontacts 51c and 51b which cooperate with contact member 53. Namely, asbest shown in FIG. 8, the contact member 53 is made from a leaf springand is secured to the flexible printed circuit board 51 as well as thereinforcement plate 49 at the middle portion thereof by means of a rivet55. Furthermore, the contact member 53 has, at the end portions thereof,a pair of contacts 53a and 53b which respectively form the switches SMD0and SMD1 in cooperation with the fixed contacts 51c and 51b on theflexible printed circuit board 51. The pins 48a and 48b are located insuch positions as to be able to push the end portions of the contactmember 53 so that the contacts 53a and 53b separate from thecorresponding contacts 51c and 51b. When the pin 48a is depressed, thecontact 53a separates from the corresponding fixed contact 51c so thatthe switch SMD0 turns off. Meanwhile, when the other pin 48b isdepressed, the other contact 53b separates from the corresponding fixedcontact 51b so that the switch SMD1 turns off.

The switches SMD0 and SMD1 serve as exposure mode selecting means andare operated in the manner as shown in the following Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                 P    A           S      M                                            ______________________________________                                        SMD0       OFF    ON          OFF  ON                                         SMD1       OFF    OFF         ON   ON                                         ______________________________________                                    

As previously described, the symbols indicate the following exposuremodes:

P: Programmed exposure mode

A: Aperture-priority automatic exposure mode

S: Shutter-priority automatic exposure mode

M: Manual exposure mode

The selection of the exposure mode is established by the operation ofthe exposure mode selecting ring 11, which has a lower surface forming acam 11b. The cam faces the upper surface of the support member 47 sothat, when the ring 11 is turned in the desired direction, the pins 48aand 48b are depressed or released. FIG. 8 shows, as an example, such acondition that only a pin 48a is depressed by the cam 11b and,accordingly, the switch SMD0 is turned off, while the other switch SMD1is turned on. Therefore, as shown in Table 1, the exposure mode in FIG.8 shows the shutter-priority automatic exposure mode.

The shaft 59 has an upper flange portion 59a which engages with ashoulder portion 11c formed in the inner surface of the ring 11, and apair of legs 59b extending downwardly to be inserted into the notches47b of the opening 47a of the support member 47 and secured thereto. Apair of holes 11d are formed at diametrically opposite positions in theshoulder portion 11c of the ring 11 in order to accommodate springs 61and click balls 63 upwardly urged by the springs 61. Meanwhile, theflange portion 59a of the shaft 59 has four click recesses 59c which areequally spaced and associate with the click balls 63. Namely, the ring11 can be turned and stopped in four rotational positions such that theclick balls 63 disengage from and engage with the recesses 59c.

The liquid crystal display unit 12, exposure value adjusting unit 56 andexposure mode selecting unit 57 are assembled in turn in the followingmanner.

The liquid crystal display unit 12 is first assembled and subsequentlysecured to the frame 26 by means of the set screws 62. Next, theexposure value adjusting unit 56 and the exposure mode selecting unit 57are assembled together on the upper cover 2 which is separated from theframe 26. In this case, the liquid crystal display unit 12 mounted onthe frame 26 is inspected and adjusted independently from the otherunits. Meanwhile, the exposure value adjusting unit 56 and the exposuremode selecting unit 57 assembled together on the upper cover 2 areinspected and adjusted independently from the liquid crystal unit 12.Finally, the upper cover 2 with the exposure value adjusting unit 56 andexposure mode selecting unit 57 are fixed to the frame 26 with thedisplay unit 12.

With the construction as described above, when the ring 11 is turnedtogether with the index plate 65, the click balls 63 engage with therecesses 59c at each right angle rotation of the ring 11 to stop therotation. When the ring 11 is located at one of the stopped positions,one of the index letters "P", "A", "M"and "S" faces the pointer 12a. Byoperating the adjusting ring 13 and adjusting knob 10, the shutter speedand F number can be adjusted respectively and respectively displayed inthe liquid crystal panel 33 under "M" mode. Under "S" and "A" mode, theshutter speed and the aperture value can be adjusted by operating theadjusting ring 13 and knob 10 respectively, and displayed in the panel33. Since the display unit 12 is completely independent from the rings11 and 13, both the configuration of the liquid crystal panel 33 and theopening 35a of the pressing plate 35 can be formed as desired.

Subsequently, the light metering mode selecting unit 59 will bedescribed in detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

The light metering mode selecting unit includes a base plate 70 which issecured to the frame 26 and on which the knob 9 is rotatably mounted bymeans of a shaft 71 which upwardly extends through an opening formed inthe upper cover 2. The shaft 71 is provided, at the upper end portionthereof, with a collar 72 on which the knob 9 is mounted. The knob 9 isrotatably mounted at the upper end portion of the shaft 71 by means of aset screw 58.

Around the shaft 71 are mounted, upwardly in turn, a switch holder 74 ofsleeve type, a click ball support 75, a light metering mode selectingring 76 and a nut 77 which fixes these members 74, 75 and 76 to theshaft 71. The ring 76 is rotatably inserted in the opening of the uppercover 2.

The knob 9 has a row of projections 9b arranged on the inner surfacethereof to define a plurality of groves 9a therebetween. Meanwhile, thering 76 has a projection 76a upwardly extending to be disengageablyinserted into the desired grooves 9a. Accordingly, the ring 76 can beturned together with the knob 9.

The ring 76 has a pointer 78 at a predetermined position of the upperand outer surfaces thereof. When the pointer 78 faces one of the indexletters indicated on the top surface 2e of the upper cover 2, forexample, "AVERAGE", the average metering mode is selected.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the rotational angle of the knob9 and, hence, the ring 76 between "AVERAGE" and "SPOT" is larger thanthat between "SPOT" and "H", and that between "H" and "S". Accordingly,the operational feeling of turning the ring 76 from the point "AVERAGE"to the point "SPOT" is quite different from that of turning the ring 76from the point "SPOT" to the point "H" and that of turning the ring 76from the point "H" to the point "S". Therefore, even if an operatoroperate the knob 9 without seeing it, he can correctly understand thecondition of the ring 76.

The click ball support 75 is located below the upper cover 2 andprovided with a ball 84 and a leaf spring 79 for receiving and upwardlyurging the ball 84 into one of the four click recesses 76b formed in thelower surface of the ring 76. The click recesses 76b are arranged suchthat, when the pointer 78 faces each of the stop positions "AVERAGE","SPOT", "H"and "S", the click ball 84 resiliently engages with thecorresponding click recesses 76b. In addition, the click recess 76bcorresponding to the point "AVERAGE" is preferably so designed that theengaging force of the ball to the recess corresponding to the point"AVERAGE" is larger than that of the ball to the other recesses, so thatthe knob 9 can be correctly operated depending on the difference of theoperating feeling.

The switch holder 74 has a projection 74a which extends upwardly througha slit 75a formed in the click ball support 75 to engage with a hole 76cformed in the ring 76. Accordingly, the switch holder 74 can be turnedtogether with the ring 76.

Between the switch holder 74 and the base plate 70 and around the shaft71 is interposed a circular end portion of a flexible printed circuitboard 83, on the lower surface of which a back support plate 82 issecured. Meanwhile, the switch holder 74 is provided with a brush 81. Asbest shown in FIG. 9, the board 83 is provided with three contacts 83a,83b and 83c which cooperate with the brush 81 and form switches SH andSS. The contact 83a is grounded. That is to say, when the ring 76 islocated at the stop point "AVERAGE", as shown in FIG. 9, the brush 81only connects with the contact 63a. Accordingly, both switches SH and SSare turned off. Furthermore, when the brush 81 is located at the stoppoint "SPOT", the switch SH is turned on, but the other switch SS isturned off. When the brush 81 is located at the stop point "H", bothswitches SH and SS are on. When the brush 81 is located at the stoppoint "S", the switch SH is turned off, but the other switch SS is on.

FIG. 12 shows a control circuit of the camera, as described above, whichcontrols the sequential operation.

Resistors RO and CO define a power up clear circuit. When a battery E ismounted on the camera, the voltage at a terminal CLR becomes instantlybecomes low level. Subsequently, in response to the positive edge of thevoltage at the terminal CLR, a microcomputer 60 is reset and starts itsoperation. The resistors, except one resistor RO, as shown in FIG. 12,are made from pull-up resistors.

An average light metering element SP1 and a spot light metering elementSP2 are respectively connected to a light metering device 66 whichincludes head amplifiers respectively connected to the elements SP1 andSP2. The output signals from both amplifiers in the light meteringdevice 66 are selectively fed to an A/D converter 64, depending on anA/S signal representing the average metering or spot metering. The A/Dconverter 64 converts the analog signals from the light metering device66 to the digital signals which are applied to the microcomputer 60. Adisplay device 68 displays for example, shutter speed and F number onthe basis of the signals transmitted from the microcomputer 60. Anexposure control device 69 controls, for example, the shutter speed, theaperture and up and down operation of the reflection mirror andexchanges the data with the microcomputer 60. From the lens 85 to bemounted to the camera are transmitted the F number at open aperture(Av(0)) and minimum F number (Av(max)). A DX-code reader 86 reads thesensitivity of the film to be inserted in the camera and transmits it tothe microcomputer 60.

Reference symbols IP1 to IP13 indicate the input ports of themicrocomputer 60. The switches SH and SS are respectively connected tothe input ports IP1 and IP2 and also to an AND gate. The A/S signal issupplied from the AND gate to the light metering device 66, aspreviously described. The light metering mode is selected by thecombination of the operation of the switches SH and SS. Namely, wheneither one of switches SH or SS is turned on, the output signal from thespot light metering element SP2 is selected by the A/S signal andsupplied to the A/D converter 64. Meanwhile, when both switches SH andSS are turned off, the output signal from the average light meteringelement SPl is selected. In the spot light metering mode, when theswitch SH is turned on, namely when the highlight mode is selected, thelighting value obtained by the spot light metering element SP2 isshifted to the lower value to a predetermined extent in themicrocomputer 60. Meanwhile, when the switch SS is turned on, namelywhen the shadow mode is selected, the lighting value obtained by thespot light metering element SP2 is shifted to the higher value to apredetermined extent in the microcomputer 60.

A light metering start switch S1 is connected to the input port IP3. Ashutter release switch S2 is connected to the input port IP4. AE lockswitch SAEL is connected to the input port IP5. As long as the lockswitch SAEL is maintained on during the spot metering, the lightingvalue is shifted.

The main switch SM and a self-timer switch SSLF are respectivelyconnected to the input ports IP6 and IP11. A shutter speed (Tv) upswitch STU, shutter speed down switch STD, aperture (Av) up switch SAUand aperture down switch SAD are respectively connected to the inputports IP7, IP8, IP9 and IP10. The exposure mode selecting switches SMD0and SMD1, as previously described, are respectively connected to theinput port IP12 and IP13.

The following is the description on the operation of the control circuitgiven in connection with the flow chart as shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b.

A battery is first mounted into the camera. Then, at step #1, the inputports and RAM in the microcomputer 60 are initialized. Step #2 detectswhether or not the main switch SM is on. If not, the program goes tostep #3 to clear the display of the display device 68, and then it goesto step #6. On the contrary, if yes, the program goes to step #4 todetect whether or not the light metering start switch S1 and AE lockswitch SAEL are on. If yes, that is, at least one of the switches S1 andSAEL is on, the program goes to step #7. On the contrary, if not, thatis, if both switches S1 and SAEL are off, the program goes to step #5 todisplay a standby on the display device 68, and then, it goes to step#6. At step #6, the AE lock flag is reset. From step #6, the programreturns to step #2.

At step #7, the light metering is started, and then, the program goes tostep #8. At step #8, the DX-code (Sv) representing film sensitivity, ofa film cartridge mounted into the camera is read in the DX-code reader86. The output information representing DX-code is fed from the reader86 into the microcomputer 60 . If the film cartridge has no DX-code, thefilm sensitivity is set at ISO 100. Then, the program goes to step #9 todetect the exposure mode, i.e. the condition of the switches SMD0 andSMD1, and then it goes to step #10. At step #10, the F number at openaperture (Av(0)) and minimum aperture (Av(max)) fed from the lens 85 areread in the computer 60, and then, the program goes to step #11. At step#11, the condition of the switches STU, STD, SAU and SAD are detected toadjust the shutter speed and F number according to the exposure mode andthe type of lens 85 to be selected, and then, the program goes to step#12.

At step #12, it is detected whether or not the AE lock flag is set. Ifnot, the program goes to step #13 to read the luminance value (Bv(0))and also to calculate the exposure value (Ev) by adding the luminancevalue (Bv(0)), aperture value at open aperture (Av(0)) and the value ofthe film sensitivity (Sv), and then, it goes to step #14. On thecontrary, if yes, the program goes to step #14.

Step #14 detects whether or not the AE lock switch SAEL is on. If not,the program goes to step #15 to reset the AE lock flag, and then, itgoes to step #21. On the contrary, if yes, the program goes to step #16to set the AE lock flag, and then it goes to step #17. Step #17 detectswhether or not the switch SS is on. If not, that is, if the averagelight metering mode or normal shadow light metering mode is detected,the program goes to step #21. On the contrary, if yes, the program goesto step #18 to detect whether or not the switch SH is on. If not, thatis, if the shadow mode is detected, the program goes to step #20 to add2.7Ev to Ev, and then it goes to step #21. When the shadow mode isselected, the exposure value (Ev) calculated in step #13 is biasedtoward the over-exposure. On the contrary, if yes, that is, if thehighlight mode is selected, the program goes to step #19 to subtract 2.3Ev from Ev, and then, it goes to step #21. When the highlight mode isselected, the exposure value (Ev) is biased toward the under-exposure.

Step #21 calculates the shutter speed (Tv) and/or aperture(Av) and,hence, F number (Av) by using the exposure value (Ev) obtained in steps#8, #13, #19 and #20 and manually selected value (Av or Tv) according tothe exposure mode detected in step #9, and then, it goes to step #22 todisplay the value (Tv) and (Av) in the display device 68, and then itgoes to step #23.

Step #23 detects whether or not the shutter release switch S2 is on. Ifnot, the program returns to step #2, and then steps #2 to #23 arerepeated. On the contrary, if yes, the program goes to step #24 todetect whether or not the self-timer switch SSLF is on. If the switchSSLF is off, the program goes to step #26 to control the exposure so asto permit the light passing through the lens onto the film. After step#26, the program returns to step #2, and then, the routine describedabove is repeated. On the contrary, if the switch SSLF is on, theprogram goes to step #25 at which a subroutine or self-timer routine iscarried out. At the subroutine 25, the light metering, calculation anddisplay are carried out, as described above, for a period of time, forexample, ten seconds, as set by the self-timer and includes steps #8,#9, #10, #13, #14, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21 and #22 as described above.It is to be noted that, at step #14 of this subroutine 25, the AE lockflag is detected instead of the AE lock switch and also it is detectedwhether or not the main switch SM is on. If the main switch SM is turnedoff, the program returns to step #2 to reset the self-timer. Aftercarrying out this operation for ten seconds, the program goes to step#26.

With the embodiment of the present invention, since the light meteringmodes can be independently selected by the operation of the ring 76, theoperator can continuously take a plurality of pictures at each mode.Namely, it is not necessary to operate the light metering mode selectionring or knob as long as the mode is not changed.

Furthermore, since the highlight and shadow based light metering modesare selected and simultaneously the exposure value under the highlightand shadow based light metering modes is fixed only during the time whenthe AE lock button 17 of the AE lock switch SAEL is pushed, the subjectto be spot-metered can be easily changed many time by only pushing andreleasing the AE lock button.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedhere that various changes and modifications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes andmodifications depart from the scope of the present invention, theyshould be construed as included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera which comprises:a releasing means forstarting photographing operation; an exposure mode selecting memberarranged on a first upper portion of the camera close to said releasingmeans so as to be manually operated in order to set an exposure modewithout assistance of other manually operated means, said exposure modebeing selected from a program mode in which an aperture value and ashutter speed are controlled by the camera and a manual set mode inwhich at least one of the aperture value and the shutter speed ismanually set by a photographer; and a light metering mode selectingmember arranged on a second upper portion of the camera opposite to saidfirst upper portion with respect to a pentagonal roof prism portion ofthe camera so as to be manually operated in order to select a lightmetering mode from a spot metering mode and an average metering mode. 2.A camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the exposuremode selecting member and light metering mode selecting member is madeof a ring which is manually turned.
 3. A camera comprising:a lightmetering mode selecting device for selecting one of a plurality of lightmetering modes including at least high light based light metering modeand shadow based bight metering mode; a selecting member whichconstitutes a part of said selecting device for changing over the lightmetering mode between said highlight based metering mode and said shadowbased light metering mode, said selecting member being movably supportedso that said selecting member can be selectively positioned at positionscorresponding to respective light metering modes; and said selectingdevice preserving a selected light metering mode until the mode ischanged over by an operation of said selecting member, said selectingdevice selects one of said light metering modes corresponding to theposition of said selecting member.
 4. A camera as claim in claim 1,further comprising an exposure value setting member provided on saidfirst upper portion.
 5. A camera as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidexposure value setting member is so arranged as to set an aperture valueof a taking lens.
 6. A camera which comprises:a light metering modeselecting device for selecting one of a spot light metering mode and ahighlight based light metering mode; an AE lock switch mounted in thecamera body and having a knob to be manually operated; and a lightmetering control circuit, wherein the light metering control circuit isso designed that, when the light metering mode selecting deice selectshighlight based light metering mode and the knob of the AE switch is notoperated, the light metering mode is set at the spot light meteringmode, and when the light metering mode selecting device selects thehighlight based light metering mode and when the knob of the AE lockswitch is operated, the metered level is shifted for setting the lightmetering mode at the highlight metering mode.
 7. A camera whichcomprises:a light metering mode selecting device for selecting one of aspot light metering mode and a shadow based light metering mode; an AElock switch mounted in the camera body and having a knob to be manuallyoperated; and a light metering control circuit operating such that whenthe light metering mode selecting device selects a shadow based lightmetering mode and the knob of the AE switch is not operated, the lightmetering mode is set at the spotlight metering mode, and when the lightmetering mode selecting device selects the shadow base based lightmetering mode and when the knob of the AE lock switch is operated, themetered level is shifted for setting the light metering mode at theshadow based light metering mode.